Hostage

Description

Northern Irish and English political relations are in meltdown. The completion of Brexit has sparked a surge in violent, domestic terrorism, with Northern Irish terror cells targeting vulnerable, English civilians. As peace negotiations fail, this new terror initiative gathers not only the historic loyalty of those who remember The Troubles, but harnesses the new rage of a passionate, young following. This violent re-birth is led by Aidan Tiernan, a seasoned terrorist with decades of bloody experience and a lust for power. His reach is now far beyond the boundaries of Northern Ireland, with allies globally. And he's seemingly untouchable.

Dan Curtis is an operative in the Security Services working under his father, the Director General. Dan has dedicate himself to serving his country and he serves with a commitment and an operational skill set that is second to none. But Dan has history with Aidan. Unknown to those he works alongside, there's an unbreakable connection to Tiernan that fuels Tiernan's rage and makes Dan the only possible means of ending Tiernan's reign of terror. But Dan will have to undertake a rogue operation, single-handedly and without support. And he knows he won't survive.

Biblical Connection

Mark 10:45 "For the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." The act and message of Jesus' death on the cross is powerful for many reasons. Throughout the Bible, and particularly in the gospels, we see Jesus' commitment to serving by obeying the will of his father, to the point of brutal execution. I had recently been talking to a friend who served in an elite army unit and was taken hostage on two occasions and he used the term "sacred duty" to describe the way you are trained to serve your country, to finish the mission no matter the cost. The idea of that sacredness of duty mirroring in some ways the duty of Jesus was intriguing. On top of that we have the very grim reality of a parent with ultimate authority and power allowing their child to be murdered for the greater good. The fear of terror is ever-present in the current climate. Translating the context of the crucifixion to a UK on high alert and shooting in a Scandi Noir genre should give it fresh relevance.